Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, Senator Brandis. I refer the minister to reports that BAE Systems will not tender for the government's $600 million Pacific Patrol Boat Program. Is the minister aware that BAE has said that this decision was taken because the government's time line for awarding of a contract would not see a decision until 2017 and would not see a build until 2018? Is the minister aware that hundreds of BAE workers will lose their jobs in the first quarter of 2016? Why has the government not worked with BAE to avoid this situation?